The Switch multi-tool knife is another demonstration that the multi-tool pocket knife, with us since the mid-1890s with the development of the Swiss Army Knife by Karl Elsener, continues to attract designers looking to extend the bounds of pocket knives.

Recently I wrote here of the impressive, though somewhat absurd Wenger Giant Swiss Army Knife, with its 87 tools. The Switch multi-tool knife takes a more modular approach. There are 18 tools, but you can pick and choose which of the 18 you want to include. As demonstrated in the graphic below, you simply place the tools you require of the 18 between the top and bottom cover plates, tighten, and you’re ready to be your own personal MacGyver. Ready for any catastrophe, needing only your Switch knife, bamboo, and elastic bands to make a machine to help you escape from captivity, or evil henchmen.

Update – 10 November 2013

It’s been a while since I visited this product, and it seems to have led a long process without the product coming to be. Sadly, this update has been posted on the Switch’s crowdinvesting page:

Not every idea can become a product immediately. Sometimes what seems good on paper can have issues when being designed, manufactured and marketed. This invention sadly falls into this category. Sign up for updates to learn if this idea starts development again.

Scott Fitzgerald started TechStyles in 2010, after 5 years of running the GadgetGuy website, so gadgets and tech have been a big part of his life for quite a while now. Prior to that he edited the Macquarie Dictionary, Travelmate.com.au and NeeditNow.com.